2 youth abused by right-wing activist for Jantar Mantar protest

Bareilly: Two youths, who were allegedly harassed and slapped by an activist linked to a Hindu outfit when they were heading for the Jantar Mantar protest over NEET paper leak, have asked the government and police to take strict legal action against the culprit. A video of the July 25 incident appeared on social media, in which the accused, identified as Satyam Pandit, is purportedly seen asking the two youths their names, address and religion, drawing outrage with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav hitting out at the BJP and demanding the arrest of the accused.

Ayush Ranjan and Rahul Pal, barely in their 20s, are residents of Bareilly’s Mahadev locality, where police have stepped up security since the incident. According to the youths, Ayush had arrived in Delhi with his friend Rahul to participate in the student protest demanding the resignation of the then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak issue.

The two had travelled to Delhi on July 23 and spent the night at a gurudwara. Ayush said that on the morning of July 25, while they were heading towards Jantar Mantar, a car pulled up in front of them. Some youngsters stepped out and began assaulting them and hurling abuses. Ayush alleged that one of the assailants identified himself as Satyam Pandit. He said that although police were present nearby at the time of the incident, he felt his grievances would not be heard there, so he did not lodge a complaint on the spot.